Unlocking the Healing Power of Exercise and Lifestyle Interventions in Cancer Survival
- Coach Chuck
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Facing Life After Colon Cancer
When we talk about cancer treatment, the focus almost always falls on chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. These are undeniably critical components of care, but are they the whole story? What if there are other tools, simpler and safer ones, that can profoundly improve cancer outcomes but rarely get the attention they deserve?
One such tool is structured exercise, which many of us consider a baseline component of a healthy lifestyle. Yet, as demonstrated by the landmark CHALLENGE trial, something as “ordinary” as consistent movement can deliver extraordinary benefits for colon cancer survivors on par with what we might expect from a medical intervention. And it begs the question: What else are we overlooking?
The CHALLENGE Trial:
A Case Study in the Power of Lifestyle Interventions
The CHALLENGE (Colon Health and Life-Long Exercise Change) trial, led by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, studied 889 patients with stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer who had completed surgery and chemotherapy. These patients were randomly assigned to receive either general health education materials or participate in a professionally guided exercise program. The results, presented at ASCO 2025 and published widely, have sent shockwaves through the oncology community (1, 2, 3).
Patients who exercised experienced a 28% lower risk of cancer recurrence, a 37% lower risk of death, and an 80% disease-free survival rate at five years, compared to 74% in the control group (1). Their overall survival at eight years was 90%, compared to 83% in the non-exercise group (1). Participants also reported better mood, energy, and quality of life – even though the intervention was simply 2.5 hours per week of moderate-intensity movement supported by professional oversight (4, 5).
As Medscape reports, these benefits are comparable to those achieved by adjuvant chemotherapy, the standard of care following colon cancer surgery. Dr. Christopher Booth, a lead investigator, commented that "we would consider a 28% reduction in recurrence or death from any new chemotherapy regimen to be practice-changing," highlighting just how potent exercise can be as a therapeutic tool (6).
Why Don’t We Hear More About These Tools?
In today's healthcare system, the spotlight stays on high-revenue treatments like immunotherapies and chemotherapy. These therapies are vital, of course, but they dominate the conversation to the exclusion of other proven interventions. Lifestyle-based strategies often fall into the background, not because they’re ineffective, but because they don’t generate profit.
The CHALLENGE trial underscores the systemic bias in cancer care: we readily embrace a new drug with similar benefits but hesitate to promote a free, accessible, and evidence-based strategy like exercise. As Dr. Kerry Courneya put it, “Exercise should now be considered part of the standard of care – not just for quality of life, but for survival” (6).
With this information, it makes sense for oncologists to pull all the tools out of the toolbox, giving patients a full-spectrum, integrative approach to cancer care. These tools include not just exercise but also sleep optimization, evidence-based nutrition, stress management, hydration, social connection, nutrient support, and health-impacting repurposed medications. Each one has scientific support. Combined, they may offer even greater power.
How Many Tools Are We Talking About? Let’s Count the Evidence
Each of these lifestyle and metabolic interventions is backed by studies showing measurable improvements in cancer outcomes:
Exercise is among the most studied and validated. As seen in the CHALLENGE trial and many others, regular physical activity improves survival, reduces recurrence, and boosts quality of life (6).
Nutrition is another well-supported factor. A 2021 meta-analysis of over 117 studies confirmed that diets rich in whole foods, primarily plant-based and Mediterranean-style diets, are associated with improved survival in colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers (7).
Sleep is often neglected in cancer care, but extensive cohort studies link good sleep hygiene to improved immune function and reduced mortality. Chronic sleep disturbances are also associated with higher levels of inflammation and poorer treatment outcomes (8).
Social connection is a powerful predictor of cancer survival. Loneliness increases the risk of recurrence and mortality, while strong social support improves treatment tolerance and resilience (9).
Stress reduction techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, and mindfulness, have been shown to reduce cortisol levels, improve immune function, and help patients better manage side effects (10).
Hydration, while seemingly basic, plays a vital role in chemotherapy tolerance, digestion, energy, and cognitive clarity. We know from studies of athletic performance that mild dehydration dramatically reduces performance on the field or court. The exact physical toll of poor hydration may also negatively impact cancer patients' therapy tolerance. All of which affect a patient’s ability to complete treatment and recover well (11).
Nutrient optimization matters as well. A multitude of vitamins are recommended to cancer patients to help optimize treatments, such as vitamins A, C, D, and E, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and essential fats (12). Research has linked vitamin D levels with survival rates for breast cancer patients (13). And when combined, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and a simple exercise program showed a cumulative decrease in cancer risk (14).
Repurposed medications are also being studied for anticancer potential. Metformin, statins, low-dose naltrexone, and aspirin have shown benefits in preclinical and observational studies, and several are currently being evaluated in clinical trials (15).
If you’re interested in going into more detail on any of these topics, we have a wide array of posts on the blog section of Coach it Forward.
What Happens When We Use Most of the Toolbox?
While we don’t yet have a randomized trial measuring the combined effect of all these interventions, real-world evidence and mechanistic research suggest the benefits are not only additive but synergistic. A patient who engages with five or more of these strategies, each modest on its own, could experience dramatically improved resilience, reduced recurrence risk, better tolerance of treatment, and enhanced overall survival.
At Meakin Metabolic Care, we ask: if these tools are low-cost, evidence-based, and widely accessible, why not use them? Especially when the data, like that from the CHALLENGE trial, shows they may rival the effect of our most trusted therapies. Our goal is to help patients take advantage of every strategy supported by science. We don’t replace standard treatment – we enhance it.
The CHALLENGE trial is more than a study; it’s a wake-up call! Cancer care should be comprehensive, not compartmentalized. Patients deserve more than survival. They deserve to thrive.
Stay strong and curious, and be your own best doctor,
Chuck Meakin MD
Disclaimer: This information is not meant as direct medical advice. Readers should always review options with their local medical team. This is the sole opinion of Dr. Meakin based on a literature review at the time of the blog and may change as new evidence evolves.
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